Mikel Arteta’s side continue their pre-season campaign at the Aviva Stadium on a day where they moved a step closer to signing Newcastle captain and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes
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Arsenal face Real Betis in their latest pre-season friendly as they continue preparations for a Premier League title defence on a day where they moved much closer to sealing the signing of Bruno Guimaraes.
The Gunners take on their Spanish opponents – who finished fifth in LaLiga last season and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League – at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, hoping to build on a 4-1 thrashing of Girona last time out, where Gabriel Jesus, Max Dowman and new signing Christos Tzolis all scored
Mikel Arteta’s side received a boost earlier today when Brazil international Guimaraes was given permission to travel to Arsenal for a medical ahead of a £75m move from Newcastle United, after both clubs finally agreed a fee. The 28-year-old midfielder looks set to officially join in the next few days.
Arsenal are also continuing their pursuit of Guimaraes’ international team-mate Vinicius Jr, although Real Madrid are said to have offered fresh terms to the Brazilian after his return to training on Tuesday, but Arteta’s immediate focus is getting minutes into his players’ legs ahead of the Community Shield against Manchester City in two weeks’ time, with Betis offering a fascinating test this evening.
Follow all the action with our live blog below:
Arsenal v Real Betis - live updates
Arsenal face Real Betis in latest pre-season friendly in Dublin | Kick-off 7.30pm BST, live on Premier Sports
The Gunners beat Girona 4-1 in opening friendly
Cut-price fee agreed with Newcastle for midfielder and captain Bruno Guimaraes
5 minutes ago
Arsenal v Real Betis
Tonight should be a good test for Arsenal in Dublin, after Betis fifth in LaLiga last season and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
It will be fascinating to see what sort of line-up Arteta opts for as he tries to get the right amount of minutes into players’ leg ahead of the new campaign.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker5 August 2026 17:51
1 hour ago
Arsenal v Real Betis
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the pre-season friendly between Arsenal and Real Betis.
Stick with us for full live coverage this evening.
Luke Baker5 August 2026 16:32